Help me out!

ahaha

In the Brooder
May 5, 2020
13
17
23
I have this one hen, she's super sweet and friendly and might be my favorite out of all my chickens. All the other birds pick on her though, today her entire back half had had all the feathers torn out and she was raw and bloody. She is also noticeably skinnier than the other birds. She's currently staying in the house with us and we're applying medicine to her back but I want to know if there's anything I can do. While I've been supervising her as she stays in the house, I've noticed that her poo is pitch black... I've never seen that before.
Question one: How do I get her back to heal faster?
2: Why is she so skinny? And how do we safely fatten her up?
3: Is there a way to prevent the other chickens from hurting her when we put her back?
4: Why is her poop absolutely black?
 
Welcome to BYC.

I am so sorry out hen isn't feeling so well.

Can you get a few pictures of her injuries?
What exactly are you feeding her?
 
I have this one hen, she's super sweet and friendly and might be my favorite out of all my chickens. All the other birds pick on her though, today her entire back half had had all the feathers torn out and she was raw and bloody. She is also noticeably skinnier than the other birds. She's currently staying in the house with us and we're applying medicine to her back but I want to know if there's anything I can do. While I've been supervising her as she stays in the house, I've noticed that her poo is pitch black... I've never seen that before.
Question one: How do I get her back to heal faster?
2: Why is she so skinny? And how do we safely fatten her up?
3: Is there a way to prevent the other chickens from hurting her when we put her back?
4: Why is her poop absolutely black?
1. If the wounds aren't severe and are clean, I'd separate her from the others and leave her be until she's better. I MIGHT apply antibiotic ointment.

2. Genetics, possible illness, or vitamin deficiency. You could put a vitamin B complex in her water.

3. Maybe and maybe not. Unfortunately, chickens can be cruel. If she heals up and gains weight I'd try reintroducing her to the others and keeping a very close eye. Usually what I do is place a cage in my pen for a couple weeks, so everyone can she but not touch. Then I reintroduce them.

4. No idea.
 
Welcome to BYC.

I am so sorry out hen isn't feeling so well.

Can you get a few pictures of her injuries?
What exactly are you feeding her?
We've been feeding them layer crumbles like always. No one else has been like this and we have 18 chickens. I currently have no phone so this was taken on a low quality lap top camera. This is one of the bald spots after we cleaned her up and applied medicine. I'd also like to add that I've seen others chickens go after her, so I know they're causing it.
Screenshot 2020-05-05 at 6.38.26 PM.png
 
Please take what I say lightly because I am not very experienced or knowledgeable like many here. I have a flock of pullets and they didn't have enough space. My lowest pecking order pullet would pluck, and/or break off the feathers (and eventual skin) from the two girls ranking right above her and one ended up with a bloody spot on her back (it looked just like your picture). I had to (and still have to) apply a concealing/healing lotion to her back. The lack of redness and the off-putting odor reduces the plucking/pecking. My problem was that they needed more space. Lack of ample space can bring out some horrible behaviors. Unfortunately, even after giving my girls ample room, her back is so noticeable and I still have to keep applying the lotion while her feathers grow back. Thankfully there aren't wounds created any longer, but I still apply lotion while waiting on the feathers to grow in and hopefully protect her bald spot from the sun.
I tend to ramble, so all of this may not even apply. Please just overlook me if so. Ample space just made a huge difference here. I hope your sweet girl is well very soon. I'm sure she's enjoying the extra love.
 
Please take what I say lightly because I am not very experienced or knowledgeable like many here. I have a flock of pullets and they didn't have enough space. My lowest pecking order pullet would pluck, and/or break off the feathers (and eventual skin) from the two girls ranking right above her and one ended up with a bloody spot on her back (it looked just like your picture). I had to (and still have to) apply a concealing/healing lotion to her back. The lack of redness and the off-putting odor reduces the plucking/pecking. My problem was that they needed more space. Lack of ample space can bring out some horrible behaviors. Unfortunately, even after giving my girls ample room, her back is so noticeable and I still have to keep applying the lotion while her feathers grow back. Thankfully there aren't wounds created any longer, but I still apply lotion while waiting on the feathers to grow in and hopefully protect her bald spot from the sun.
I tend to ramble, so all of this may not even apply. Please just overlook me if so. Ample space just made a huge difference here. I hope your sweet girl is well very soon. I'm sure she's enjoying the extra love.
Thank you for advice! I suppose sometimes their yard may seem a bit small since there are so many of them. She is definitely enjoying her vacation tho, and has been doing almost nothing but taking naps on my lap and cuddling up :)
 

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